City of Edmundston

Development

Participatory Budget

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the city of edmundston launches the 2025 edition of the participatory budget

The participatory budget is a democratic process that allows citizens to decide, together, how part of the annual budget can be invested. Thanks to this initiative, every citizen has the chance to submit project ideas and vote for the one he or she considers most important for the community. Once again this year, the City of Edmundston will allocate a portion of the budget to fund a project proposed directly by the public. The participatory budget aims to encourage civic engagement, creativity and innovation in our community.

how does it work?

The participatory budget takes place in several clearly defined stages.

Here's how it works:

1. Submission of project ideas 
Date: from May 21 to July 2, 2025

Now's the time to submit your project ideas! You can use our interactive platform to propose any type of project that meets the needs of the community, whether social, environmental, cultural or economic. We encourage projects that improve the quality of life of residents and strengthen social ties. The ideas submitted will appear on the participatory wall of our dialogue-edmundston.ca platform.

2. Selection of ideas for further development 
Date: July 3 to August 31, 2025

The selection committee will examine all the ideas submitted on the participative wall. The citizens who submitted the most promising ideas will be contacted to provide further information about their project. They will then be asked to fill in a detailed form in order to move on to the next stage.

3. Selection and evaluation of projects 
Date: September 1 to November 30, 2025

The projects submitted will be examined by a selection committee. The committee will check that each project meets the eligibility criteria and that it is viable, feasible and beneficial to the community.

Following this analysis, the committee will select a maximum of 10 projects. The promoters of these projects will then be invited to present their initiative to the committee. Following these presentations, a maximum of 5 projects will be selected to be put to the public vote. Of these, only one project will be selected to receive Participatory Budget funding.

Submission criteria

Be an investment in permanent infrastructure, a site with existing infrastructure or equipment
Be carried out on property belonging to the City of Edmundston or to a private owner (land, park, building, etc.) transferred to the City without any rights or remuneration
Have a useful life of at least five years
Meet the needs of the community, without serving private interests or being reserved for a single group or association
The total cost of the project must be at least $40,000
The city will finance up to 75% of the total cost of the project, to a maximum of $75,000
The remaining 25% will be the responsibility of the citizens' committee, in the form of fundraising, donations (materials, services, etc.) or volunteer involvement.

Inadmissibility criteria

A project will be considered inadmissible if it :

Contains elements of a discriminatory, defamatory, political or religious nature
Incurs recurring operating or human resources costs in excess of 5%, unless approved by the Participatory Budget Committee
Requires the acquisition of land, premises or buildings
Concerns a project already underway
Interferes with, alters or represents a risk to the quality of existing infrastructure
Does not comply with the jurisdiction, laws, by-laws or municipal policies in force
Requires the agreement of a third party (right of way, assignment of a right, etc.).

4. public vote to select the project

Date: from 1 December 2025 to 15 January 2026

Once the selected projects have been validated, residents will be able to vote for the one they prefer. Each citizen will be able to vote for a single project online via the Dialogue Edmundston interactive platform. The project receiving the most votes will be the one funded by the City of Edmundston.

5. announcement of the winning project

Date: Late January - early February 2026

The winning project will be announced between the end of January and mid-February 2026. On this occasion, the mayor will unveil the winning project of the participatory budget and announce the launch of the next campaign. Those responsible for projects submitted to the popular vote will be invited to take part in the event.

6. project implementation and monitoring

Date: from 2026

The winning project will be implemented with the help of municipal services and residents. Regular updates will be provided on the progress of the project, ensuring transparency and ongoing community involvement.

examples of projects to submit

The participatory budget will make it possible to finance a single project, which will be selected at the end of a process of validation, presentation and citizen vote. This project must contribute to improving the quality of life in Edmundston. Here are a few ideas to inspire you, but don't hesitate to propose your own initiatives based on the needs of your neighbourhood or community!

Improvement or enhancement of a green space

Projects to make our parks and green spaces more user-friendly and accessible:

Adding street furniture (benches, picnic tables, etc.)
Creating or improving paths for walkers and cyclists
Planting trees to provide more shade and improve air quality
Installing relaxation areas for families, groups or walkers

Protection or enhancement of a sensitive area

Projects to protect the environment and raise awareness of nature:

Cleaning the banks of rivers and lakes to preserve biodiversity
Installing educational panels on local flora and fauna
Restoring natural habitats

Traffic management measures

Projects to improve road safety and the cohabitation of road users:

New signage to improve visibility
Reduced speed in residential areas
Safe facilities for pedestrians and cyclists

Promoting active transport

Ideas to encourage walking, cycling and sustainable travel:

Secure bicycle racks
Repair facilities for bicycles
Creation of secure pedestrian and cycle paths

Artistic and cultural projects

Creative initiatives to beautify our public spaces and showcase local culture:

Collective murals created in collaboration with citizens
Permanent outdoor exhibitions
Sculptures or interactive art installations

Other ideas

Do you have an original idea that isn't on this list? Suggest it! All projects aimed at improving Edmundston are welcome!

how to submit a project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w6mOwUEvyc&t=3s

project evaluation criteria

Here's how we evaluate the projects submitted for the City of Edmundston's participatory budget. Each project will be judged according to several key criteria to ensure that it meets the community's needs and is viable and realistic.

1. Feasibility and budget realism (30%)

Description: This criterion assesses whether the project can be carried out with the resources available: the necessary funds, people and equipment. We also check whether the project's costs are well estimated and realistic, and whether the budget is sufficient to cover all expenses, including long-term ones. Community support for the project is also taken into account.

Why it's important: This criterion assures us that the project can be implemented within the planned budget and that it is viable.

2. Relevance to the community (20%)

Description: This criterion evaluates whether the project meets a real need or is of significant benefit to the Edmundston community. It must be in line with the priorities defined in the municipal plan.

Why it's important: The project must have a real positive impact on the community and be in line with local priorities.

3. Innovation

a. Novelty (10%): Is the project completely new to the city or neighbourhood? Is it something that has never existed in Edmundston before?
b. Improvement or adaptation (5%): Does the project improve something that already exists, for example by modernizing equipment or making a service more accessible?

Why it's important: Innovative projects, whether they are new or improvements, can have a major impact in making the city more dynamic and responsive to the needs of its citizens.

4. Community support and collaboration (10%)

Description: This criterion examines whether the project benefits from the support of other organisations, partners or the local community. Good collaboration increases the project's chances of success.

Why it's important: Projects that involve the community or partnerships with other organisations are often more likely to come to fruition.

5. Short and long-term benefits (10%)

Description: This criterion measures the lasting impact that the project will have for Edmundston residents. It is important that the project have a visible and positive impact, not only today but also in the future.

Why it's important: We want projects that will have a long-term benefit for the population.

6. Ability of the applicant to contribute (10%)

Description: The project sponsor (citizens' group, association, etc.) must prove that it can contribute 25% of the total cost of the project, i.e. in cash, donations or voluntary work.

Why it's important: This criterion shows that the project is actively supported by the community and that people believe in it enough to invest time or money.

7. Compliance with city regulations and priorities (5%)

Description: The project must comply with the city's laws and regulations, as well as the municipality's strategic priorities (e.g. environment, inclusion, sustainable development).

Why it's important: All projects must comply with the city's standards and priorities to ensure that they are in line with the municipality's objectives.

Important rule:

Tout projet dont le cout total est inférieur à 40 000 $ sera automatiquement jugé inadmissible et éliminé du processus de sélection.

Comment se fait l'évaluation :

1. Criteria scoring :
Each committee member assigns a score from 1 to 5 to each criterion.

o 1 = Unsatisfactory

o 2 = Poor

o 3 = Fair

o 4 = Good

o 5 = Excellent

2. Total score calculation :The score for each criterion is multiplied by its weight (e.g. feasibility = 30%, innovation = 10%) and then divided by 5. This calculation gives a score for each criterion.

3. Total scores :After calculating the score for each criterion, the results are added together to give a total score. The project with the highest score will be selected from among the best (maximum of 10 projects).

Calculation example :

Criteria	Weight	Rating (1-5) Awarded	Calculating the Score	Score
Feasibility and budget realism	30%	4	(4 × 30) ÷ 5	24
Relevance to the community	20%	5	(5 × 20) ÷ 5	20
Community support and collaboration	10%	3	(3 × 10) ÷ 5	6
Short and long-term benefits	10%	4	(4 × 10) ÷ 5	8
Proposer Contribution Capacity (25%)	10%	-	-	-
Innovation — Novelty	10%	-	-	-
Innovation — Improvement or adaptation	5%	4	(4 × 5) ÷ 5	4
Compliance with regulations and priorities	5%	5	(5 × 5) ÷ 5	5
Total	100%			67

Conclusion: This fictitious project obtained a total score of 67, which places it among the projects to be considered for funding, provided that its cost exceeds $40,000.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What types of project can be submitted?

Projects can be in a variety of fields: environment, culture, sport, infrastructure, social inclusion, economic development, etc. The most important thing is that they meet the needs of the community and have a positive impact.

Can I submit a project as an individual?

Yes, you can submit a project as an individual, or as a member of a group or community organisation. However, we strongly encourage group submissions: it's often more stimulating and effective to work together than alone.

How many projects will be completed?

Only one project will be financed and implemented under the 2025 participatory budget. This project will be selected by a citizens' vote.

How can I get involved in monitoring the project?

Once the project has been selected, you will be invited to follow the process via our website and social networks.

Join us and make your voice heard!

The participatory budget is a great opportunity to turn your vision into reality. Propose, vote and contribute to improving our beautiful city of Edmundston!

Contact us for more information:
Email : budget.part@edmundston.ca

Personal information and confidentiality

The personal information you provide when submitting your project will remain confidential and will not be used by the City of Edmundston for any purpose other than the participatory budget. Only your first and last names will be made public during the voting period and when the winning projects are announced.